Thetownend.com

The Opponent:  Crawley Town

Crawley's history can be traced as far back as the Stone (Neolithic) Age, from flint tools and burial mounds and later a Bronze Age sword found in the area. Iron-Age forts were established to extract ore in the areas now covered by Broadfield, Bewbush and Southgate and an Iron Age camp was once on the site of Goffs Park. These were expanded by the Romans who arrived at the start of the first century. Evidence of over 100 furnaces has been found in the area now covered by Broadfield.  Crawley's name is derived from the Anglo Saxon crawe leah - a 'crow infested clearing'. The spelling changed during the Middle Ages - Crauleia (c1203), Crawele (c1250) and Croule (1279) - with the more familiar spelling Crawley appearing around 1316.

The discovery of Brighton by the Prince Regent made Crawley an ideal place to rest on the journey from London, and the town rapidly developed to cope with the demand. The arrival of the railway in the 1840s may have killed off the coaching trade, but it also made Crawley more accessible, and brought a surge in the population, including Mark Lemon, one of Crawley's better known commuters.  In 1946, the New Towns Act was passed, and Crawley was one of eight towns selected to provide work and home away from the overcrowded capital. The new town would offer employment, decent housing, a green environment and an end to daily commuting. Today Crawley is more commonly known as Gatwick Village and even with a population of just over 106'000, both of their loyal supporters even drink in the same pub.

Last Time Out – Crawley Town 1 Ipswich Town 0 Att: 3,043 I’m not sure if Ipswich started with the strongest team possible, especially catching the name Nouble out of the corner of my eye starting up front for the Tractor Boys. It took a late extra time goal from one time Town target, Izale McLeod to separate the 2 sides on the night with Crawley advancing to round 2.
Starting XI -  Jensen, Oyebanjo, Bradley, Smith, Walsh, Leacock, Bawling (Dickson), Henderson (O’Connor), McLeod, Young (Banya), Edwards.

They have served us both –  Phil Smith, Kevin James, Luke Rooney, Leon Clarke, Gary Alexander, Nathan Byrne, Nicky Ajose, Jimmy Glass, Elliot Benyon.

One From The Past – Crawley Town 0 Swindon Town 3 – 13th September 2011. Att: 2’790 (659 away fans). With the long and illustrious history the baggage handlers have, I wasn’t really what you may called spoilt for choice. This was the first league meeting between the 2 clubs and one that still contributes toward the 100% league record we have against them (3 draws and 3 wins). The game was settled on the night with 2 late goals from Mehdi Kerrouche after the scoring was opened by Alan Connell in the 28th minute. After the match, manager PDC was seen speaking to his next signing, Leon Clarke. Not sure what happened there? On the bench for us that night was Honest Albert Comazzi, whom some supporters believed was actually going to be Canavarro when it was rumoured we were signing an experienced Italian defender.

The Odds –   Crawley Town 11/8  Draw 12/5 Swindon Town 9/4. Not sure if I feel brave enough to back us to win a 2nd away game on the trot but the 9/4 on offer is fairly tempting. Louis Thompson is due a goal from midfield and is a decent 20/1 with Bet365. McLeod is favourite to open the scoring at 5/1.

The Son Says – My daughter was trying to convince him the game had draw written all over it but he stuck by his guns and remains positive with a 2-0 victory prediction

The Prediction – After another fantastic victory on Tuesday night I can see no reason why we can’t continue the 100% record, even if it is only 2 games old. The team are playing with an air of confidence, maturity and patience, and long may it continue. 3-0 Swindon, 1 for Michael Smith, Louis Thompson and an embarrassing McLeod own goal in front of 2’334 with 722 away followers.

And Finally – The Cure were formed in Crawley in 1976 by Robert Smith, Michael Dempsey and Laurence Tolhurst, all of whom attended St Wilfrid's RC School.

COYR COYR COYR COYR

Saw the cure in 87, one of my bands. We'll win 2-1, in front of a mammoth 3,711. 765 hardy town

Seen the Cure 8 times, and Crawley have never beaten us, nothing will change until I see Robert and his red smudged lipstick gain. 0-0 it is.

1.1 Smith to open the scoring
At least that's what my betting slip says

395 town in a 4200 turnout

2-0 Swindon.

3,443 with 551 from Swindon.

3-1 town, one for Smith, one for Mass, one for Williams.

I saw the Cure in 79 in Chippenham, approx 30 people in the Neeld Hall, they had 4 tunes and played them twice. Still no mention of the World Marbles Championship  :(

Doubt there ever will be. I choked on one when I was 10, the choking was so violent a turtles head popped out, and I was at school. Still traumatised

Just an FYI, I've never seen The Cure.

Just in case anyone cares..

It's good to talk...it may help you get over it; glass is a wonderful thing, ask Carlisle fans. You can also find it on the Moon

http://www.rsc.org/images/moon-350_tcm18-127319.jpg

Saw a very early Roxy Music at the Neeld Hall. Enjoyed Judas Priest much more later.

Anyways, back to the 3-0 scoreline with my mate Smudga knocking in another brace plus an OG

An impressive 821 from Pig Hill out of 3467

Edit- Judas Priest was at the Corn Exchange in Devizes. They had some top bands there in the 70s. To my everlasting regret I missed Rory Gallagher playing there

Another Cure fan here!  Still can't make up my mind if my favourite album is Bloodflowers or Disintegration.  Going to the game today by train and hoping for a win.  Smith to score again (Michael, not Robert).

leaving Swindon station 9,40 arriving Crawley midday. I haven't seen a Town away win since Stoke and technically speaking that was a draw after 90 minutes.

I'll settle for a 0 0 with 500 Swindon fans.

And another, though only the first four albums before Robert started getting silly. I feature on the Pornography Tour Live EP, as a noise from the audience.  :toocool:

I have faith in Smith rounding three imaginary boys to score after seventeen seconds.

New ground for me today. I've only ever been to Crawley once and that was to register my brothers death so hoping for a better day today.

Looking forward to this, just hope it is better than last seasons game there.

Play like we have in the first two games and we have a great chance of winning.

Going today first away day for ages I think we will win 2 1 Smith and Byrne 763 town fans in a crowd of 3,800

Absolutely no reason to think we won`t win this so I am going for a draw 1-1 possibly 2-2.

Went to Crawley last season, going to a food and drink festival in Battersea park instead this (chose Luton over Crawley).

Draw today and another good performance. 1-1. Luongo

Take a draw 1-1 with 621 town fans going!

I am going for a 2-1 win for the town.
Sky Bet are giving 9/1 on Michael Smith scoring twice, that is worth a punt.

I also like The Cure.

2-1 win with Smith and Turnbull on target for town setting us up nicely for Tuesdays game at Gillingham

me neither-goth twats!

And I'm here!

I like cured bacon

In raiLway Inn Crawley
 drinking Stella. The rumour going around here is we've signed Stevens.
Not true then? Bugger

Chinese burn and a wedgie for you, for that blasphemy.

The Cure are ace. 1-1 for me today. About 550 Town fans there.

Anyone managed to get player working on an iPad? My laptop is fucked...

Download puffin browser and play it through that mate

It's saying "There are currently no live matches, come back on a match day" for me!

"There are currently no live matches"   >:(  Same on Safari and Firefox

See George Moncur has scored for Colchester against Shitty - is he related to John Moncur by any chance?

Son. Born in Swindon.

Thanks Tans (not often that's said with a straight face) this looks like it will work apart from the fact that Player now thinks it's not a match day. Horrendous service as ever.

Same here. useless cunts

Try the football league app.

That works on my iPhone, can't see why it wouldn't on an iPad.


Player is working fine on my laptop.

Well, when I say fine it's obviously dropping out every few minutes...

I have just heard that Nile Ranger has signed for Blackpool on Twatter, not sure how true that is

Tis true

I too cannot log in - no live matches.

From the BBC text commentary, it looks like we are dominating this game.

I see Wovers are getting beat in the Conference again...

Could somebody locate the 'Player' offices and burn the fuckers down.

Cheers

Controlled this game, a goal before half time is deserved.

Looks like it's all Swindon

Player is back again

My player's working. For the Moment.

The co-commentator can't stop moaning about Barthram. Perhaps Jack shagged his missus or something.

Edit: he also says 'Fotheringham' but with un-Christian-Roberts-like comedy value.

Mentioned it on BBC Wiltshire commentary...

No problems with Player for Championship games, doesn't like Div 1 or 2 though...

Storey with an assist for Pompey

Pox 1 down

Absolutely battering them should be at least 2 up

This is a good looking table

Anyone know why Gladwin has gone off?

Shit.

Bollox Penalty and L Thompson off

Fucksake

Fucks fucking sake.

1 nil Crawley

What have the Thompsons done to piss off the leagues referees?

Shame as sounded like we were bossing that.

Any news on Stephens?

Apparently Thompson got the ball & wrong decision.

Game over.

You give up easy

10 men, 1-0 down away from home. Can't see us coming back

Louis has had a referee-filled few games to start the season.

What's Crawley's pitch like? I can't remember it ever being anything but a pile of shit, which is hardly going to suit us, especially down to 10 men.

We'll still win. I have faith. Nath will kick 'em into shape.

Reckon we'll be stupid enough to appeal?

Why bother. He'll only miss 2 games + the JPT game

Should be only 1 game.

Even better, then!

667 Town fans today

Well done everyone who went, that's probably more than the home crowd.

This all feels frightfully familiar.

We are 22-5 up on shots FFS

We are a man down. We were all over them before the red card.

Exactly.

Oh. I think I see what you meant now.

Charlie misses a pen on his prem debut

Whoops.

Pox concede in the 88th min :D

I was one of the "30", it was 3rd. April 1979 and I had school the next morning. Do I know you???

Disappointing, especially because sounds like we played well. Crawley won 1-0 in all 3 games now, they might not be a bad side. On to Tuesday.

Can't really complain if it was a red. Maybe we should gave had one or two by then anyway? I can't really comment as it took STFC player didn't realise we were playing until late in the 1st half.

This hasn't ended my world but it is frustrating to see the dominate and self-destruct issue reappear.

Let us hope we can bring in a little bit more depth because that bench didn't have much threat.

If I recall correctly, long balls over the top were a major problem for us last season..... until a certain Mr. Stephens arrived!

Honest endeavour 1 stylish football 0. Their golie was voted their m o m
says it all.

Pox lost and im drinking Stella. So  not a total disaster

Got to give some leeway to all the youngsters in the side.

Yes, it isn't always going to go our way but with many on here predicting doom and gloom these first few games have given a glimpse of what COULD be achieved with a little patience . . .

And Jack Stephens!

We're already putting way too much pressure on Stephens. He is absolutely needed but we've got to get more goals in that side.

Only talking about Stephens improving the defence.

Don't think he's any sort of messiah

Messiah?

He's a player that has demonstrated that he is very good at this level. I don't see what's wrong with looking forward to his (supposedly) imminent arrival.

Indeed, it all just had that familiar ring of last season's away games about it.  Very frustrating.

Stephens will improve the defence, but it was not hitting the target that was the problem today.  Created enough chances.  Let's hope it was just an off day.

Stephens aint coming in. He's off to Sheffield United instead.

That's not what I'm really getting at. We do need Stephens based on all but one of his performances last season.

I just think there's an assumption that we're sorted once he arrives.

I'm just being cautious, that's all.

I thought much of the problem last season was not creating enough chances?

GET IT FORWARD!!! (Ring a bell?)

On train back. Very frustrating game, we dominated before and after the red card. Can't comment on the decision as it was too far away.

We played some decent stuff but seemed really reluctant to shoot in and around the box. We did look decent going forward but suspect at the back again, getting caught out over the top is a particular problem. Still, plenty of positives and if we continue to play like that we will win more games than we lose.

Great turnout from town fans, made some decent noise too. Wes' new chant is pretty good as well :)

From what I can remember the issue last year was that we had no threat on goal in away games, we just sat back and aimed for a draw. The main complaint was that we weren't creating many chances at all.

Getting caught over the top is always going to be a risk playing this formation. At any level.
Good value for the win today even with 10 men but too hesitant at times when in shooting and crossing positions. More positives than negatives though.

That's how I remember it as well.

I think that's the correct assessment. I think he'll improve us because he was consistently good last season. As I said before, my worry is that he was playing alongside an experienced defender. This year he won't be.

That's not to say Branco can't become a better player, or that Turnbull isn't good enough. I think it a bit of an unknown.

In any case three games in and we are competitive, which is nice!

Gittens was very softly spoken wasn't he? Felt a bit like Radio 4.

Reminded me of Chris Eubank without the lisp.

This arsenal game on sky going the same way as ours, but arsenal haven't had as many chances as we did yet have had more possession!

But arsenal just got an equalizer.  :(

No, unless you were the hot 18 year old bird I was with at the time.  :)

Just got back we played some great football with our midfield running the show I still don't know how we came away without at least a point. Crawley fans coming out could not believe they had just won that game , we gave Jensen a lot of stick but he made a couple of superb saves. The mist pleasing aspect of the game was even though we went 1 down and down to 10 men we still dominated.

We were in control with 11 players and looked like winning.
Mind you first half so many chances missed and blocks.

M25 a nightmare driving down.

Makes you wonder why Louis wasn't sent off at Luton.

As the ref gave a penalty he obviously thought it was a deliberate handball - which is a sending off offence.

If he thought it wasn't deliberate he shouldn't have given a pen.

Just wondering

in pure footballing terms, crawley didnt deserve to be on the same pitch today.Cant comment on the pen, I was too far away but then again so was the ref! Morally, Tomlin should have got a straight red for that dive, it was so outrageous.One criticism, our corners need to be 10 times better(we had enough of em!) Thompson N man of today for me, their keeper getting  mom for them tells all

isn't it that it's a goal scoring chance, ruined by a hand, rather than it being hand ball = red card?
either way, the handball at luton was given as a foul inside the area and therefore a penno

(i await DV's arrival to tell us all about high feet in the box not being a penno)

So the ref must have though Thompson deliberately handled the ball, but didn't deny a goalscoring opportunity. Which is basically calling Thompson thick!

A-fucking-men to that. I don't know the stats but it felt like we had 20 corners and threatened from one.

I thought Jensen won it for them really. A couple of fantastic saves and then to have the vision and ability to clear it down the field, catching us completely exposed at the back, which lead to the peanalty/goal/sending off. The only way Crawley were going to score was from a pen I thought.

Yes. We really really need to hold on to what we've got and get two or three in. If we do that, we'll be OK. If not....

Crawley were total fucking toss and that result was one big massive injustice. Izale is a complete cunt and should have walked for being a persistent wanker. Big shout also to Tomlin who beat anything Suarez could muster up. Until the sending off we absolutely shat all over them. They resulted to leaving the foot in, leading with their elbows and basically arse raping Smith.
Couldn't see if it was a red or a pen. After that though we were still the better side. Fuck knows how they have won their 3 games so far but I'd hate to see the shit they serve up each week.
Keep the faith because on another day this would have been 3 or 4 nil to us.
The team really look together. MOM was difficult but Branco had Izale in his pocket in the 1st half.

yeah-very weak bench

600 Town fans?Really?Seemed about half that!

To be fair, I thought our away following today was pretty low numbers-wise. Especially when you consider it was off the back of two straight wins, a sunny day and not exactly a mission of a journey.  I was huddled up behind the goal and couldn't believe how sparse it was.

Hilariously low attendance overall. Non-League, and you know you are... Indeed.

2700 - You can't survive in L1 on that. I know they have so far, but long term - you just can't.

And they won't.

The Adver report says we had 'close to 30 efforts' on goal...w' da fuck???

I can't see where they got that figure from. For me, the whole problem was not getting anywhere near enough decent, clear cut attempts on goal from all the possession we had.

30.....REALLY????

Twice now we have been caught out with a long ball over the top. The defence really worries me and on a day like today when we don't take our chances we will end up on the losing side if we don't sure up at the back. Hopefully Stephens will come in and steady the ship though.

Having said all of the above though we seem to have a decent team spirit this season so far and seem to determined to put last season's away hoodoo behind us. Let's hope we get 3 points on Tuesday.

Given that everyone, including the Adver reporter, seems to agree the away attendance was about half the reported figure, why would a club over-declare the number? I remember the days when attendances were hilariously under-declared in order to pay less tax, but I've no idea why a club would do the opposite.

Wage cap?

And the "wall of colour" at the start must have been an embarrassment with all the empty seats!

Quick thinking from a quality keeper. That's all it was.

Correct. It was brilliant play by Jensen which very few keepers at L1 level - if any -would be capable of.

Yes, we got caught out on that occasion but they will learn from it. Overall we looked very assured at the back.

Not everyone. I didn't stand there and count them but I really don't think there was only 300 of us there.

Agreed there was a lot more than 300 with the side bit and the seats I would say 600 odd was the correct number

Was interesting to hear on the radio that the ref was 40ish yards away for the pen/sending off, but the linesman was only 15, yet the ref didn't even discuss it with him. Why don't match officials discuss things with each other? How often do you see egg chasing ones or cricket umpires having a chat mid-match? Regularly, because different people have different views on the situation (both physcially and mentally) and there's a team of them for a reason.

Whether it was a pen/red card or not, there's a deeper issue of how decisions like that (which, as a double-dip negative decision for us, quite literally altered the outcome of the match) are made from the other end of the pitch.

Edit: Having watched the highlights (which are up on player now) I don't think the ref was even in the same half for the incident. The FL commentator went 'oh that was a good tackle from Thompson' before backtracking as the ref awarded the pen and red carded him. You'd think as a referee you'd at least want to chat to the lino after a team you've already carded for diving goes down in the box 40+ yards away.

Also, Jensen was the only reason Crawley were anywhere near being in that match.

The highlights are up.

I just don't know if the red/pen was justified. The commentator thought it was a good tackle though.

Could also argue it wasn't even a red as by the time the tackle was made Byrne was between Wes and Thompson.
Also when you look at the first shot you see of Mcloed he's about 5 yards clear. Was he in our half when Jensen kicked it as if not surely he must have been offside to be quite that far in behind.

Oh and one thing I will say is our bench terrifies me. Randall, Waldon and Marshall are no where near ready for first team football, when Randall came on he looked like a young kid lost. Our lack of players beyond our first XI is a major concern, we've literally got no centre midfield cover.

I agree, we dealt with them well all game bar one or two moments. Turnbull didn't go full force into a tackle near the halfway line which resulted in a good ball into the box but the back 3 had McLeod in their pockets for the majority.

Can't see how a penalty was given. The ref yesterday was another totally clueless twat. They got away with some pretty bad late challenges yesterday. in the 1st half Nate and Fods were taken out really late by challenges where you could see their players deliberately going in on them. The ref stood there and gave a free kick for one and a drop ball for the other. Smith could hardly move with the defender all over him. By the way, Smiths work rate yesterday was immense.
That really was an absolute travesty yesterday. I still can't believe we didn't win by 3 clear goals let alone lost.
 

I haven't seen the highlights yet but I thought the ref was fine in general and the penalty was stonewall.

Yesterday was much better than the rubbish we served up on the road last season - Shrewsbury and Gillingham being amongst the worst town performances I have seen. Crawley were lucky to come away with all three points as in general, they did not threaten.

We threatened first half but bar Jensen's save from I think Luongo in the second we didn't look like equalising. As said above, the lack of options on the bench is a worry (I thought Randall played relatively well) and our lack of activity so far has been utterly bizarre - I trust Power to get his act together before the deadline.

Crawley might have started well but they will not be up there for long.

The ref was in no position to give the pen and the lino did not flag,therefore incorrect in my book.Those people who thought that 600 was right,could they please take a look at my bank account

Can a mod enable photo sharing via tapatalk?

Definitely got the ball.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BvQOFklCEAAqmfy.jpg)

Just looked it up and that terrace holds 1600. I've been in plenty of 300ish away followings and yesterday was not one of them.

Re. The pen. Yep defo looks like he has the ball. With Byrne managing to get so close I would also question why it was a straight red too?! I know I only like to see it one way but ...?!

Do they accept photo evidence at FL appeals? Pretty clear cut it seems.

I also now want that as a gif with Louis dancing.

Meh. Tackle from behind in the box and you're asking for trouble.

That's a pretty convincing photo - but won't do us any good.  We got nothing from the match because we didn't turn our superior position and shot-count into goals. 

I was in the seats and reckon there was 120 - 150 people in that part of the ground (although well spread out).  From my view of the away terracing, I have no difficulty accepting there were around 500 in there. 

Pleasing that we played so well, frustrating that we can't take our chances but at least we've shown a bit of improvement on the road (albeit only in 2 games). Hopefully they keep this level of performance, if wedo we'll make our own luck.

As for the penalty decision. I've watched it about twenty times. The ref is miles away so how he thought to give it so quickly I don't know, but it's fairly obvious Louis wins the ball. Hopefully the referee admits his mistake and Louis's card is rescinded, but I don't hold out much hope. You'd like to think if an assessor was watching, this referee wil get demoted. Getting decisions wrong is part and parcel, but a big one like that from 50 yards away, when your linesman hasnt given it? That's beyond poor.

Having watched the highlights this morning it's even more frustrating to think we got nothing from that game. If they're always that reliant on Jensen they won't be up there for long. He must be pushing 40, Shirley.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM2K7sV-K74

Yeah, doesn't matter if you get the ball, if you're lunging in from behind (not in a gay way I might add).  It's a bugger (not in a gay way I might add) when you play well and lose.

Horrible game on Tuesday at Pikeys; Priestfield has never been a happy hunting ground, more so in the recent seasons, since we've started playing them again, after the blissful 20 odd year break. Anything other than a lose, would be a very decent achievement.

Just to wind up the oldies a bit (me included) who remember when football was a thugs game: Brian Yeo

I remember going to Kent in the late 60's with one of our finer sides, and losing 2-0. Nothing new, we always did in the 60's, as you say the Pikeys were noted purveyors of anti-football.  My heart would sink, in advance of the home game, as you knew it would be a terrible spectacle, which we might nick by a goal, after having most of the match against negative tactics.

The other thing that would piss me off, was that in say the 68/69 season about a week before the 2-0 reverse in front of a paltry 6,000 swollen by 1,000 Town fans, we'd beat the Pikeys in front of 17,000 at the CG.

The only success we've ever had at Priestfield in my 50+ years was the fine Macari side of 86/87, when we won there 3-1 in a festive fixture....and even that side lost the first ever PO game there at season's end...that was the sort of result which tells you this side can achieve something.

No, despite the protestations of my 2 man fan club on here, getting a draw tomorrow would be a massive achievement, a win, dreramland. Therefore a bit unlikely.

well i'm up for my annual local humiliation tomorrow night

My old man, rest his soul, was a big York City fan and he continually recounted when, in the late 50s, they were in a semi final replay (I think) of the FA Cup against Newcastle Utd and were absolutely kicked off the park by Jimmy Scoular.

A real old time thug.

He also ranted on about some fella called Arthur Bottom who he reckoned was a superstar!

I bet the long winter nights used to fly by

Wish I could hear him tell me about it again

Whoops...................sorry

No need. Long time ago now

http://www.yorkmix.com/sport/tributes-pour-in-to-york-city-legend-arthur-bottom/

Lovely stuff.

Some scoring record that. 105 goals in 150 odd games

I remember Scoular, when he was player manager at Bradford Park Avenue, particularly for the 2-0 defeat Dec 62, the day the last great winter set in over Britain...he is reckoned by many to be Newcastle's hardest ever player.

We crossed swords with Scoular at Cardiff solely as manager in the early 70's, in the old Div 2, and as is not unusual with hard men , his sides liked to play decent attacking football, and the games were often quite open...he also must have brought the young John Toshack through.

Just looking at the next 3 away games after the Pikeys - Barnsley, Bradford and Chesterfield.

FFS

Agreed....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeFuEygmmtg

Easily more than 300 as there were a few down the side standing and some in the seats

You could also argue that the pic shows he made contact with McLeod's right leg before touching the ball. I just don't think one still photo is ever going to reverse a decision.

I think you'll find that's BBC...

That's the first time I've seen it. Incredible how the ref can make such a quick decision, with no assistance, from so far away. The camera isn't much further away and you can't tell if it's a great tackle or a blatant red.